TL;DR: Replay AI generates WCAG 2.1 compliant forms directly from video recordings of user interactions, drastically reducing development time and ensuring accessibility from the start.
Form accessibility is often an afterthought, leading to costly remediation and frustrated users. Building compliant forms that adhere to WCAG 2.1 standards requires meticulous attention to detail, from semantic HTML to ARIA attributes and keyboard navigation. What if you could automate much of this process?
Reconstructing Accessible Forms: The Replay Advantage#
Traditional methods of form creation rely on manual coding or low-code platforms that may not always prioritize accessibility. This results in forms that are difficult or impossible for users with disabilities to navigate and complete. Replay offers a fundamentally different approach: behavior-driven reconstruction. Instead of relying on static screenshots, Replay analyzes video recordings of user interactions to understand the intended form behavior. This allows it to generate code that is not only functional but also inherently more accessible.
Understanding Behavior-Driven Reconstruction#
Replay doesn't just "see" the form; it "understands" how a user interacts with it. By analyzing the video, Replay identifies:
- •Field labels and their relationships to input fields
- •Error handling and validation messages
- •Keyboard navigation pathways
- •The logical flow of the form
This understanding allows Replay to generate code that reflects the user's intended experience, ensuring that accessibility is baked in from the beginning.
WCAG 2.1 Compliance: Key Considerations#
WCAG 2.1 outlines specific guidelines for making web content more accessible. When creating forms, the following principles are particularly important:
- •Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive.
- •Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable.
- •Understandable: Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable.
- •Robust: Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.
Replay addresses these principles by automatically incorporating accessibility best practices into the generated code.
How Replay Ensures Accessible Forms#
Replay automates several key aspects of WCAG 2.1 compliance, significantly reducing the manual effort required to create accessible forms.
Semantic HTML#
Replay generates semantic HTML, using appropriate elements like
<label><input><textarea><button>html<form> <label for="name">Name:</label> <input type="text" id="name" name="name"> <label for="email">Email:</label> <input type="email" id="email" name="email"> <button type="submit">Submit</button> </form>
ARIA Attributes#
Replay intelligently adds ARIA attributes to enhance accessibility, providing additional information to assistive technologies about the purpose and state of form elements.
html<label for="newsletter" id="newsletter-label">Subscribe to Newsletter:</label> <input type="checkbox" id="newsletter" name="newsletter" aria-labelledby="newsletter-label">
Keyboard Navigation#
Replay ensures that the generated form is fully navigable using the keyboard, allowing users who cannot use a mouse to access and interact with all form elements. This includes proper tab order and focus management.
Error Handling and Validation#
Replay captures the error handling logic demonstrated in the video and translates it into accessible validation messages. These messages are displayed in a clear and concise manner, providing users with specific guidance on how to correct errors. ARIA attributes are used to announce errors to screen readers.
html<input type="email" id="email" name="email" aria-invalid="true" aria-describedby="email-error"> <div id="email-error" class="error-message">Please enter a valid email address.</div>
Contrast and Styling#
While Replay focuses primarily on the functional and structural aspects of accessibility, it also supports style injection. This allows developers to easily apply CSS styles that meet WCAG 2.1 contrast requirements.
💡 Pro Tip: Use a color contrast checker to ensure that the colors used in your form meet WCAG 2.1 guidelines.
A Practical Example: Building a Contact Form with Replay#
Let's walk through the process of creating an accessible contact form using Replay:
Step 1: Record User Interaction#
Record a video of yourself filling out a contact form. Make sure to demonstrate:
- •Entering data into all fields
- •Submitting the form
- •Handling validation errors (e.g., entering an invalid email address)
Step 2: Upload to Replay#
Upload the video to Replay. The AI engine will analyze the video and reconstruct the form's UI and behavior.
Step 3: Review and Refine#
Review the generated code and make any necessary adjustments to ensure accessibility. Replay provides a visual editor that allows you to easily modify the form's structure and styling.
Step 4: Integrate into Your Project#
Copy the generated code and integrate it into your web application. Replay supports various frameworks and libraries, making it easy to integrate the generated code into your existing project.
Comparison with Other Tools#
How does Replay compare to other tools for generating form code?
| Feature | Screenshot-to-Code Tools | Low-Code Platforms | Replay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Input | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Behavior Analysis | ❌ | Partial | ✅ |
| Automatic ARIA Attributes | ❌ | Partial | ✅ |
| Semantic HTML | Partial | ✅ | ✅ |
| Keyboard Navigation | ❌ | Partial | ✅ |
| WCAG 2.1 Compliance | Limited | Partial | High |
📝 Note: While low-code platforms often claim accessibility features, they may not always generate fully compliant code. Replay's behavior-driven approach provides a higher level of assurance.
Addressing Common Concerns#
Can Replay handle complex form logic?#
Yes, Replay can handle complex form logic, including conditional fields, dynamic validation, and multi-step forms. The more detailed the video recording, the better Replay can understand and reconstruct the intended behavior.
What if the video quality is poor?#
Replay is designed to work with a variety of video qualities. However, higher quality videos will generally produce more accurate results. Ensure the video is well-lit and the form elements are clearly visible.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid shaky or blurry videos, as this can negatively impact Replay's ability to analyze the form.
Does Replay support custom form elements?#
Yes, Replay supports custom form elements. However, you may need to provide additional information about the element's purpose and functionality to ensure accessibility.
Frequently Asked Questions#
Is Replay free to use?#
Replay offers a free tier with limited features. Paid plans are available for users who need access to advanced features and higher usage limits. Check the Replay pricing page for the most up-to-date information.
How is Replay different from v0.dev?#
While both tools aim to generate code, Replay uses video as the source of truth and focuses on capturing user behavior. v0.dev typically relies on text prompts or design files. Replay's behavior-driven approach makes it uniquely suited for generating accessible and user-friendly forms.
What frameworks does Replay support?#
Replay supports a wide range of popular front-end frameworks, including React, Angular, Vue.js, and more. The generated code can be easily integrated into any project.
How secure is Replay?#
Replay prioritizes security and data privacy. All video recordings are processed securely and are not shared with third parties.
Ready to try behavior-driven code generation? Get started with Replay - transform any video into working code in seconds.